Write once recording medium, recording device and recording method for write one recording medium, and reproduction device and reproduction method for write once recording medium

ABSTRACT

A temporary defect management area  14  is placed between a control information recording area  12  and a data area  11 . Before a recording medium  10  is finalized, defect management information is temporarily recorded into the temporary defect management area. Upon finalizing, the defect management information is recorded into a definite defect management area  13  placed in the control information recording area.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a write-once-type recording medium, arecording apparatus for and a recording method of recording record datawhich is to be recorded onto the write-once-type recording medium, and areproducing apparatus for and a reproducing method of reproducing therecord data recorded on the write-once-type recording medium.

BACKGROUND ART

As a technique of improving the reliability of the recording and readingof record data on a high-density recording medium, such as an opticaldisc, a magnetic disc, and a magneto optical disc, there is defectmanagement. Namely, when there are scratches or dusts, or deterioration(which are collectively referred to as a “defect”) on the recordingmedium, data to be recorded or already recorded at the position of thedefect is recorded in another area on the recording medium (which isreferred to as a “spare area”). As described above, by evacuating to thespare area the record data which is possibly imperfectly or incompletelyrecorded or read because of the defect, it is possible to improve thereliability of the recording and reading of the record data (refer toJapanese Patent Application Laying Open NO. Hei 11-185390).

In general, a defect list is made to perform the defect management. Onthe defect list, there are recorded address information for indicatingthe position of a defect on the recording medium, and addressinformation for indicating a position in the spare area (e.g. arecording position in the spare area) to which the data to be recordedor already recorded at the position of the defect is evacuated.

In general, the defect list is made when a recording medium isinitialized or formatted. It is also made when the record data isrecorded onto the recording medium. When the record data is recorded andrewritten several times, the defect list is made or updated every timethe record data is recorded and rewritten.

When the record data is recorded onto the recording medium, the defectlist is referred to. This allows the recording of the record data ontothe recording medium away from the position of a defect. On the otherhand, the defect list is also referred to when the record data recordedon the recording medium is reproduced or read. This makes it possible tosurely read both the record data recorded in a normal recording area andthe record data recorded in the spare area because of the presence of adefect, on the basis of the defect list.

The defect list is generally recorded in a specific area on therecording medium, which is the object of the making or updating of thedefect list. The defect list is read from the recording medium next timewhen the record data recorded on the recording medium is reproduced orwhen other record data is rewritten or additionally recorded. Then thedefect list is referred to in a reading operation by a reading apparatusor in a reproduction operation by a reproducing apparatus.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The defect list is recorded in a specific area on the recording medium.For example, with respect to a rewritable optical disc using a bluelaser, the defect list is recorded in a predetermined area (which ishereinafter referred to as a “defect management area”) reserved in alead-in area or lead-out area on the disc.

As described above, the defect list is updated every time the recorddata is recorded and rewritten. Then, the defect list is overwritten inthe defect management area on the recording medium, which is the objectof the recording and rewriting, every time the defect list is updated bythe recording and rewriting of the record data. Namely, the defect listin the defect management area is rewritten every time the defect list isupdated.

Such updating of the defect list by rewriting it can be realized only incase that the recording medium is rewritable. In case that the recordingmedium is a so-called “write-once-type recording medium”, for example, awrite-once-type optical disc, it is necessary to use another method torealize the updating of the defect list. For example, a conceivablemethod as the method of realizing the updating of the defect list issuch that every time the defect list is updated, the updated defect listis recorded in a new unrecorded or blank area on the write-once-typerecording medium.

According to this method, however, every time the defect list isupdated, it is necessary to reserve or ensure an area to record theupdated defect list. It is also necessary to estimate in advance thenumber of times the defect list is updated and to reserve in advance thedefect management area large enough to record the defect list by thenumber of times. In any case, in order to realize the updating of thedefect list on the write-once-type recording medium, it is necessary toreserve a larger area to record the defect list (i.e., the larger defectmanagement area), as compared with the case where the defect list can berewritten or overwritten.

As a result, the data structure of the write-once-type recording mediumis different from that of the rewritable-type recording medium, whichcauses the problem that they are mutually incompatible regarding thereading of data recorded on the recording media. For example, enlargingthe defect management area in the lead-in area extends the lead-in area,which causes different ranges of the lead-in areas between thewrite-once-type recording medium and the rewritable-type recordingmedium. Consequently, both recording media become incompatible, whichpossibly causes the problem that a drive apparatus for the existingrewritable-type recording medium cannot reproduce the data on thewrite-once-type recording medium.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide: awrite-once-type recording medium which has a defect management functionand which is compatible with a rewritable-type recording medium; arecording apparatus for and a recording method of recording record dataonto the write-once-type recording medium; and a reproducing apparatusfor and a reproducing method of reproducing the record data recorded onthe write-once-type recording medium.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by awrite-once-type recording medium provided with: a data area to recordtherein record data; a control information recording area to recordtherein information for controlling an operation of recording and/orreading in the data area, the control information recording areaincluding a definite defect management area to record therein defectmanagement information of the data area; and a temporary defectmanagement area to temporarily record therein the defect managementinformation of the data area, the temporary defect management area beingplaced between the control information recording area and the data area.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by arecording apparatus for recording record data onto the above describedwrite-once-type recording medium of the present invention, the recordingapparatus provided with: a first recording device for recording therecord data into the data area; a memory device for storing therein thedefect management information; a second recording device for recordingthe defect management information stored in the memory device, into thetemporary defect management area; and a third recording device forrecording the defect management information stored in the memory device,into the definite defect management area.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by areproducing apparatus for reproducing record data recorded on the abovedescribed write-once-type recording medium of the present invention, thereproducing apparatus provided with: a memory device; a first readingdevice for reading the defect management information recorded in thetemporary defect management area and storing the read defect managementinformation into the memory device; and a reproducing device forreproducing the record data recorded in the data area on the basis ofthe defect management information stored in the memory device.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by afirst computer program of instructions for tangibly embodying a programof instructions executable by a computer to make the computer functionas the above described recording apparatus of the present invention(including its various aspects).

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by asecond computer program of instructions for tangibly embodying a programof instructions executable by a computer to make the computer functionas the above described reproducing apparatus of the present invention(including its various aspects).

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by afirst computer program product in a computer-readable medium fortangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer tomake the computer function as the above-described recording apparatus ofthe present invention (including its various aspects).

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by asecond computer program product in a computer-readable medium fortangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computer tomake the computer function as the above-described reproducing apparatusof the present invention (including its various aspects).

According to the first or second computer program product of the presentinvention, the recording apparatus or reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention described above can be embodied relatively readily, byloading the computer program product from a recording medium for storingthe computer program product, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a harddisk or the like, into the computer, or by downloading the computerprogram product, which may be a carrier wave, into the computer via acommunication device. More specifically, the first or second computerprogram product may be provided with computer readable codes (orcomputer readable commands) to make the computer to function as therecording apparatus or reproducing apparatus of the present inventiondescribed above.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by arecording method of recording record data onto the above describedwrite-once-type recording medium of the present invention, the recordingmethod provided with: a first recording process of recording the recorddata into the data area; a defect-management-information generatingprocess of generating or updating the defect management information; asecond recording process of recording the defect management informationgenerated or updated in the defect-management-information generatingprocess, into the temporary defect management area; a finalize-commandprocess of giving a command for indicating to finalize the recordingmedium; and a third recording process of recording the defect managementinformation generated or updated in the defect-management-informationgenerating process, into the definite defect management area in casethat the command for indicating to finalize is given in thefinalize-command process.

The above object of the present invention can be also achieved by areproducing method of reproducing record data recorded on the abovedescribed write-once-type recording medium of the present invention, thereproducing method provided with: a detecting process of detectingwhether or not the recording medium is already finalized; a firstreading process of reading the defect management information recorded inthe temporary defect management area and storing the read defectmanagement information into the memory device in case that it isdetected that the write-once-type recording medium is not finalized; asecond reading process of reading the defect management informationrecorded in the definite defect management area and storing the readdefect management information into the memory device in case that it isdetected that the write-once-type recording medium is already finalized;and a reproducing process of reproducing the record data recorded in thedata area on the basis of the defect management information stored inthe memory device.

These functions and other advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following descriptions of embodiments and examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an embodiment of awrite-once-type recording medium of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a recordingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of a recordingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of a recordingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a recordingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a fifth embodiment of a recordingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a reproducingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of a reproducingapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a write-once-typerecording medium of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the content of defectmanagement information in the example;

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of a defect listin the example;

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of the recordcontent of a temporary defect management area in the example;

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of the recordcontent of a definite defect management area in the example;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a recording/reproducing apparatus,which is an example of the recording and reproducing apparatuses of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a disc drive of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the example;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a backend of the record/reproducingapparatus in the example;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an initial setting operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the example;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing operations including a recordingoperation of the recording/reproducing apparatus in the example;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a finalize operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the example;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation on ejecting of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the example;

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a reproduction operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus in the example; and

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of thewrite-once-type recording medium of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention will be explained withreference to the drawings hereinafter.

Embodiment of Recording Medium

An embodiment of the recording medium of the present invention will beexplained with reference to the drawings. Incidentally, the drawingsused for the explanation of the embodiments of the present inventionembody constitutional elements or the like of the recording medium,recording apparatus or reproducing apparatus of the present inventiononly for the purpose of explaining technical ideas thereof. The shape,size, position, connection relationship, and the like of variousconstitutional elements or the like are not limited to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the structure of data or information to be recorded oralready recorded on a disc-shaped recording medium 10, which is anembodiment of the recording medium of the present invention. The leftside of FIG. 1 is the inner circumferential side of the disc-shapedrecording medium 10.

The recording medium 10 is a disc-shaped recording medium, such as anoptical disc, a magnetic disc, a magneto optical disc, and a dielectricrecording disc. The recording medium 10 is a write-once-type recordingmedium which allows the recording of record data only once at eachposition, e.g. a write once recording disc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the recording medium 10 is provided with: a dataarea 11; a control information recording area 12; a definite defectmanagement area 13 placed in the control information recording area 12;and a temporary defect management area 14. It is also provided withanother control information recording area (which is not illustrated) onthe outer circumferential side of the data area 11.

The data area 11 is intended to record or write-once therein the “recorddata”. The control information recording area 12 is intended to recordor write-once therein the control information for controlling therecording and reading in the data area 11.

Information or data which is recorded on the recording medium 10 can beclassified into the record data and the control information. The recorddata is data which is mainly the object of reproduction or execution,e.g. image data; audio data; text data; contents data; a computerprogram; or the like. On the other hand, the control information isinformation for controlling the recording and reading in the data area11, e.g. information for indicating the attribute and type of therecording medium 10; information for managing the address of the recorddata; information for controlling the recording and reading operationsof a drive apparatus; or the like. The record data and the controlinformation cannot be always clearly classified in accordance with thecontent thereof. However, the control information is mainly useddirectly for the operation control of the drive apparatus, while therecord data is mainly only the object of recording and reading and ismainly used in a data reproduction operation or in a program executionoperation by a backend or a host computer. In response to such adifference of their properties or the like, the record data is recordedin the data area 11 and the control information is recorded in thecontrol information recording area 12.

The definite defect management area 13 is included in the controlinformation recording area 12. The definite defect management area 13 isintended to record therein the defect management information of the dataarea 11.

The temporary defect management area 14 is placed between the controlinformation recording area 12 and the data area 11. The temporary defectmanagement area 14 is intended to temporarily record therein the defectmanagement information of the data area 11.

The defect management information is used for the defect management. Thedefect management is as follows. When there is a defect, such asscratches, dusts, or deterioration, in or on the recording medium 10,the record data is recorded into a position away from the position ofthe defect. At the same time, the record data to be originally recordedor already recorded at the position of the defect is recorded into thespare area on the recording medium 10. Moreover, the followingoperations are also performed as a part of the defect management: anoperation of recognizing the position of a defect upon reproducing therecord data recorded on the recording medium 10; and an operation ofreading from the spare area the record data to be originally recorded oralready recorded at the position of the defect.

A defect list is used for the defect management. On the defect list,there are recorded address information for indicating the position of adefect on the recording medium, and address information for indicating aposition in the spare area at which the data to be originally recordedor already recorded at the position of the defect is alternativelyrecorded. The defect list is made or updated when the record data isrecorded onto the recording medium 10 (e.g. upon verifying). Moreover, adefect changes or increases as the recording medium 10 is continuouslyused. For example, fingerprints are often left on a recording surfaceduring the use of the recording medium 10. Thus, the defect list is madeor updated at each opportunity of recording and/or reproducing withrespect to the recording medium 10. Such a defect list is included inthe defect management information.

As shown in FIG. 1, there are the temporary defect management area 14and the definite defect management area 13 on the recording medium 10.These two defect management areas are both intended to record the defectmanagement information. However, these two defect management areas areprovided for their own different purposes, and their physical structuresare different from each other.

The temporary defect management area 14 is intended to temporarilyrecord the defect management information into it. For example, thetemporary defect management area 14 is used to record therein the defectmanagement information until the recording medium 10 is finalized.Specifically, if the defect management information is made uponinitializing or formatting the recording medium 10, the defectmanagement information is recorded into the temporary defect managementarea 14. If the defect management information is updated upon recordingthe record data, the defect management information is recorded in thetemporary defect management area 14.

The temporary defect management area 14 is a larger area than thedefinite defect management area 13. This purpose is to record aplurality of defect management information, responding to the number ofthe updating of the defect management information when it is updatedseveral times. This is based on the fact that the updated defectmanagement information cannot be overwritten at the same positionbecause the recording medium 10 is a write-once-type recording medium,which allows recording only once at each position. For example, thetemporary defect management area 14 is large enough to record thereinthe defect management information twice or more.

The temporary defect management area 14 is placed between the controlinformation recording area 12 and the data area 11. As described above,the temporary defect management area 14 is relatively large. Thus ifthis area is desired to be placed in the control information recordingarea 12, there is no choice to extend the control information recordingarea 12. In this embodiment, however, it is unnecessary to extend thecontrol information recording area 12 to reserve or ensure the temporarydefect management area 14 because the temporary defect management area14 is placed out of the control information recording area 12. Moreover,information recorded in the temporary defect management area 14 is thedefect management information, and this is not the record data but thecontrol information in view of its properties. Therefore, it is notpreferable to place the temporary defect management area 14 in the dataarea 11 which is intended to record the “record data”. In theembodiment, the temporary defect management area 14 is placed out of thedata area 11, so that it is possible to avoid such an unprefarablesituation.

By placing the temporary defect management area 14 between the controlinformation recording area 12 and the data area 11 as described above,the temporary defect management area 14 can be placed on the recordingmedium 10 without extending the control information recording area 12and without placing it in the data area 11. This allows thecompatibility between the write-once-type recording medium 10 and ageneral rewritable-type recording medium.

On the other hand, the definite defect management area 13 is intended todefinitely record the defect management information into it. Forexample, when the recording medium 10 is finalized, so that the defectmanagement information will be no longer updated and the content of thedefect management information is determined, the definite defectmanagement area 13 is used to record therein the defect managementinformation.

The definite defect management area 13 is a narrower area than thetemporary defect management area 14. This is because all it needs isthat at least one defect management information whose content isdetermined or fixed can be recorded in the area.

The definite defect management area 13 is placed in the controlinformation recording area 12. Most rewritable-type recording mediagenerally spread have such a structure that the defect management areais placed in the control information recording area. Moreover, mostrewritable-type recording media which will be developed from now on willpredictably have such a structure that the defect management area isplaced in the control information recording area. One of the reasons isas follows. For example, the defect management information to berecorded in the defect management area belongs to the controlinformation in view of its properties and is mainly used directly forthe operation control of the drive apparatus. Thus it is reasonable andefficient to record it with other control information in the controlinformation recording area. Another reason is as follows. For example,in the case of a rewritable-type recording medium, even if the defectmanagement information is updated many times, it is enough to overwritethe updated defect management information at the same position in thedefect management area. Thus it is enough to ensure the relativelynarrow defect management area at which at least one set of the defectmanagement information can be recorded, and it is unnecessary to extendthe control information recording area. In the embodiment, the samestructure as that of such a general rewritable-type recording medium isadopted by placing the definite defect management area 13 in the controlinformation recording area 12. This allows the compatibility between thewrite-once-type recording medium 10 and a general rewritable-typerecording medium.

Now, one example of a method of using the temporary defect managementarea 14 and the definite defect management area 13 is explainedspecifically. When a user inserts or loads the recording medium 10 intoa recording apparatus and starts recording in order to record the“record data” onto the recording medium 10, the record data is recordedby the recording apparatus into the data area 11 on the recording medium10. At that time, the record data is verified in each predeterminedblock. When imperfection in recording is detected by verifying, it isestimated that there is a defect at the recording position. On the basisof this estimation, the defect management information (the defect list)is made or updated. Then, after a series of operation of recording therecord data is ended, the made or updated defect management informationis recorded by the recording apparatus into the temporary defectmanagement area 14 on the recording medium 10.

The user can insert the recording medium 10 into or eject it from therecording apparatus many times, which allows the recording of variousrecord data on the recording medium 10. While the user does that manytimes, in some cases, new dirt is attached onto the recording medium 10.Thus, at each opportunity of recording the record data onto therecording medium 10, the recording apparatus detects a defect existingin the data area 11, updates the defect management information, andrecords the updated defect management information into the temporarydefect management area 14. At this time, because the recording medium 10is write-once-type (i.e. not rewritable), it cannot overwriteinformation. Thus, the updated defect management information is recordedinto an unrecorded area next to the area of the last recorded defectmanagement information in the temporary defect management area 14, forexample. The temporary defect management area 14 is large enough torecord the defect management information several times in a row orparallel sequence in an unrecorded area.

When fully recording the record data on the recording medium 10, theuser finalizes the recording medium 10. For example, because therecording apparatus has a function of finalizing, the user operates therecording apparatus to finalize the recording medium 10. By the finalizeoperation of the recording apparatus, the newest defect managementinformation is read out of a plurality of new and old defect managementinformation recorded in the temporary defect management area 14 on therecording medium 10. This information is recorded into the definitedefect management area 13 on the recording medium 10.

After that, the user inserts the finalized recording medium 10 into areproducing apparatus for a general rewritable-type recording medium toreproduce the record data recorded on the recording medium 10. At thattime, the reproducing apparatus reads the defect management informationrecorded in the definite defect management area 13 on the recordingmedium 10, and reads and reproduces the record data recorded in the dataarea 11 on the recording medium 10 while referring to the read defectmanagement information. This reproducing apparatus is for a generalrewritable-type recording medium, not specially designed for thewrite-once-type recording medium 10. The recording medium 10, however,has the compatibility with a general rewritable-type recording medium,as described above, so that the record data recorded by the recordingapparatus of the present embodiment on the recording medium 10 isaccurately reproduced by the reproducing apparatus for therewritable-type recording medium.

As described above, according to the recording medium 10, the temporarydefect management area 14 is placed between the control informationrecording area 12 and the data area 11, so that the recording medium 10can ensure the compatibility with a general rewritable-type recordingmedium although the recording medium 10 is write-once-type. Therefore,the record data recorded on the recording medium 10 can be accuratelyreproduced by the reproducing apparatus for a general rewritable-typerecording medium or the like.

Various Aspects in the Embodiment of Recording Medium

On the recording medium 10 in FIG. 1, the temporary defect managementarea 14 is placed between the control information recording area 12placed on the inner circumferential side of the recording medium 10 andthe data area 11. However, if there is the control information recordingarea on the outer circumferential side of the recording medium, thetemporary defect management area may be placed between the controlinformation recording area placed on the outer circumferential side ofthe recording medium and the data area.

Moreover, if there are the control information recording areas on theboth inner and outer circumferential sides of the data area on therecording medium, a first temporary defect management area may be placedbetween the control information recording area placed on the innercircumferential side and the data area, and a second temporary defectmanagement area may be placed between the control information recordingarea placed on the outer circumferential side and the data area.

Furthermore, if the recording medium is a two-layer disc, it is possibleto provide one or a plurality of temporary defect management areas foreach layer.

Incidentally, the definite defect management area may be placed not onlyin the control information recording area placed on the innercircumferential side of the recording medium, but also in the controlinformation recording area placed on the outer circumferential side ofthe recording medium. Moreover, in the case of the two-layer disc, it ispossible to provide one or a plurality of definite defect managementareas for each layer.

Each temporary defect management area is preferably large enough torecord the defect management information a plurality of times in a rowin an unrecorded area, as described above. Moreover, if the defectmanagement information with the same content can be recorded a pluralityof times (e.g. twice) redundantly in a row in an unrecorded area in thetemporary defect management area, it is possible to increase therecording robustness or certainty of the defect management information.In order to realize this, the temporary defect management area ispreferably large enough to record the defect management information aplurality of times in a row or sequentially in an unrecorded area.

First Embodiment of Recording Apparatus

The first embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present inventionwill be explained. FIG. 2 shows the first embodiment of the recordingapparatus of the present invention. A recording apparatus 20 in FIG. 2is a recording apparatus for recording record data onto awrite-once-type recording medium which allows the recording of therecord data only once at each position, provided with: (i) a data areato record therein the record data; (ii) a control information recordingarea to record therein information for controlling the recording andreading in the data area, the control information recording areaincluding a definite defect management area to record therein defectmanagement information of the data area; and (iii) a temporary defectmanagement area to temporarily record therein the defect managementinformation of the data area, the temporary defect management area beingplaced between the control information recording area and the data area.For example, the recording apparatus 20 is intended to record the“record data” onto the above-described recording medium 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recording apparatus 20 is provided with: a firstrecording device 21; a memory device 22; a second recording device 23;and a third recording device 24.

The first recording device 21 records the record data into the dataarea. If the recording medium is an optical disc, the first recordingdevice 21 can be realized by an optical pickup, a controller forcontrolling the optical pickup, and the like. Incidentally, if therecording medium is an optical-type, the optical pickup is preferablyused as a device for directly recording data or information onto therecording medium. However, if the recording medium is other types, suchas magnetic, magneto optical, and a type of using the change of adielectric constant, it is possible to use a pickup, a head, a probe, orthe like, which is appropriate for the type of the recording medium.

The memory device 22 stores therein the defect management information.The memory device 22 can be realized by a memory or the like, forexample.

The second recording device 23 records the defect management informationstored in the memory device 22, into the temporary defect managementarea. If the recording medium is an optical disc, the second recordingdevice 23 can be realized by an optical pickup, a controller forcontrolling the optical pickup, and the like.

The third recording device 24 records the defect management informationstored in the memory device 22, into the definite defect managementarea. If the recording medium is an optical disc, the third recordingdevice 24 can be realized by an optical pickup, a controller forcontrolling the optical pickup, and the like.

Incidentally, a plurality of sets of hardware, which constitute thefirst, second, or third recording device, may be provided individually,but usually, one set is enough. For example, it is enough to provide oneoptical pickup, one controller, and three software for controlling thecontroller corresponding to the relative recording devices.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 20 will beexplained. The first recording device 21 records the record data intothe data area on the write-once-type recording medium. In the recordingapparatus 20, when the defect management information including thedefect list for indicating the position of a defect on thewrite-once-type recording medium or the like is made or obtained throughthe recording medium or other communication lines, the memory device 22stores therein this defect management information. The second recordingdevice 23 records the defect management information stored in the memorydevice 22, into the temporary defect management area on the recordingmedium. There may be various choices of times the second recordingdevice 23 records the defect management information into the temporarydefect management area. For example, conceivable choices are as follows:e.g., immediately after the recording medium is initialized orformatted; immediately after one series of record data is recorded ontothe recording medium; or the like. The third recording device 24 recordsthe defect management information stored in the memory device 22, intothe definite defect management area on the recording medium. There maybe various choices of times the third recording device 24 records thedefect management information into the definite defect management area.For example, a conceivable choice is when the recording medium isfinalized, or the like.

In the recording medium, which is the object of the recording by therecording apparatus 20, as is the case with the recording medium 10described above, it is possible to reserve or ensure the temporarydefect management area without extending the control informationrecording area and without placing it in the data area, by placing thetemporary defect management area between the control informationrecording area and the data area. Thus, it is possible to ensure thecompatibility between the write-once-type recording medium and therewritable-type recording medium. Then, the second recording device 23of the recording apparatus 20 can record the defect managementinformation into this temporary defect management area. Therefore, it ispossible to realize the defect management in the write-once-typerecording medium while maintaining the compatibility between thewrite-once-type recording medium and the rewritable-type recordingmedium.

Moreover, as is the case with the recording medium 10 described above,the recording medium, which is the object of the recording by therecording apparatus 20, adopts a recording structure in common with therewritable-type recording medium, by placing the definite defectmanagement area in the control information recording area. Then, thethird recording device 24 of the recording apparatus 20 can record thedefect management information into this definite defect management area.Therefore, it is possible to match the area in which the defectmanagement information is recorded on the write-once-type recordingmedium and the area in which the defect management information isrecorded on the rewritable-type recording medium. It is also possible torealize the compatibility between the write-once-type recording mediumand the rewritable-type recording medium.

In the meanwhile, the defect management information includes the defectlist at least including information for indicating the position of adefect in the data area on the recording medium. However, not only theinformation for indicating the position of a defect in the data area,but also the following information may be included in the defectmanagement information. Namely, (a) definition information forindicating the position of the data area; and (b) a defect listincluding the defect position information for indicating the position ofa defect in the data area and the spare area position information forindicating the position of the spare area at which the record data to berecorded at the position of the defect is alternatively recorded, may beincluded in the defect management information.

In general, position information for indicating the position of the dataarea is recorded in the defect management area in the controlinformation recording area on the existing rewritable-type recordingmedium. A reproducing apparatus for the rewritable-type recording mediumreads this position information and recognizes the position of the dataarea on the recording medium. If so, the write-once-type recordingmedium can be reproduced by the reproducing apparatus for therewritable-type recording medium, by recording the information of thesame type of this position information in the definite defect managementarea on the write-once-type recording medium, which is the object of therecording by the recording apparatus 20. Thus, in the embodiment, thedefinition information for indicating the position of the data area isincluded in the defect management information, and this defectmanagement information is recorded by the third recording device 24 inthe definite defect management area. Therefore, the write-once-typerecording medium for which the finalizing is ended and on which thedefect management information is recorded by the third recording device24 in the definite defect management area, can be reproduced by thereproducing apparatus for the rewritable-type recording medium.

The reproducing apparatus for the rewritable-type recording medium readsthe definition information recorded in the definite defect managementarea on the write-once-type recording medium and recognizes the positionof the data area on the write-once-type recording medium on the basis ofthis definition information. Therefore, logically speaking, if theposition information is eventually recorded as the definitioninformation in the definite defect management area, it is possible toarbitrarily set the position of the data area on the write-once-typerecording medium (although there are limitations by a standard or thelike in practice). If so, for example, when the write-once-typerecording medium is initialized or formatted, it is possible to reservethe temporary defect management area to be large, and by just much, thestart address of the data area can be also shifted backward. This makesit possible to reserve the temporary defect management area to be largewhile maintaining the compatibility about the reproduction of thewrite-once-type recording medium and the rewritable-type recordingmedium.

Second Embodiment of Recording Apparatus

The second embodiment of the recording apparatus of the presentinvention will be explained. FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment of therecording apparatus of the present invention. A recording apparatus 30in FIG. 3 is provided with: the first recording device 21; the memorydevice 22; the second recording device 23; and the third recordingdevice 24, as with the recording apparatus 20. The recording apparatus30 is also provided with: a first defect-management-informationgenerating device 31; and a first recording control device 32.

The first defect-management-information generating device 31 generatesor makes the defect management information with respect to the recordingmedium on which the record data is unrecorded, and lets the memorydevice 22 store therein this information.

The first recording control device 32 controls the second recordingdevice 23 to record the defect management information into the temporarydefect management area when the defect management information isgenerated by the first defect-management-information generating device31.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 30 will beexplained. For example, when the write-once-type recording medium isinitialized or formatted, the first defect-management-informationgenerating device 31 generates the defect management information withrespect to the recording medium on which the record data is unrecorded.

When the defect management information is generated by the firstdefect-management-information generating device 31, the first recordingcontrol device 32 controls the second recording device 23 to record thedefect management information into the temporary defect management area.The timing at which the first recording control device 32 controls thesecond recording device 23 to record the defect management informationinto the temporary defect management area may be as follows: e.g., whilethe defect management information is being generated by the firstdefect-management-information generating device 31; immediately afterthe generation of the defect management information is ended; orfurther, shortly after the generation of the defect managementinformation is ended.

As described above, according to the recording apparatus 30, it canrecord and maintain the defect management information generated uponinitializing or formatting the recording medium, in the temporary defectmanagement area on the recording medium.

Third Embodiment of Recording Apparatus

The third embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present inventionwill be explained. FIG. 4 shows the third embodiment of the recordingapparatus of the present invention. A recording apparatus 40 in FIG. 4is provided with: the first recording device 21; the memory device 22;the second recording device 23; and the third recording device 24, aswith the recording apparatus 20. The recording apparatus 40 is alsoprovided with: a second defect-management-information generating device41; and a second recording control device 42.

The second defect-management-information generating device 41 generatesor updates the defect management information when the record data isrecorded by the first recording device 21 into the data area, and letsthe memory device 22 store therein this information.

The second recording control device 42 controls the second recordingdevice 23 to record the defect management information into the temporarydefect management area when the defect management information isgenerated or updated by the second defect-management-informationgenerating device 41.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 40 will beexplained. For example, upon recording the record data into the dataarea, the recording apparatus 40 records the record data for eachpredetermined block and verifies at each time of recording in one block.The second defect-management-information generating device 41 uses theresult of the verifying, for example. It generates or updates the defectmanagement information, and stores this information into the memorydevice 22. As described above, it can generate or update the defectmanagement information upon recording the record data, and reflect adefect in the data area to the defect management information uponreproducing.

When the defect management information is generated or updated by thesecond defect-management-information generating device 41, the secondrecording control device 42 controls the second recording device 23 torecord the defect management information into the temporary defectmanagement area. The timing at which the second recording control device42 controls the second recording device 23 to record the defectmanagement information into the temporary defect management area may beas follows: e.g., while the defect management information is beinggenerated by the second defect-management-information generating device41; immediately after the generation of the defect managementinformation is ended; or further, shortly after the generation of thedefect management information is ended.

As described above, according to the recording apparatus 40, it canreflect a defect in the data area upon reproducing, record this defectmanagement information into the temporary defect management area, andmaintain this information.

Fourth Embodiment of Recording Apparatus

The fourth embodiment of the recording apparatus of the presentinvention will be explained. FIG. 5 shows the fourth embodiment of therecording apparatus of the present invention. A recording apparatus 50in FIG. 5 is provided with: the first recording device 21; the memorydevice 22; the second recording device 23; the third recording device24; the second defect-management-information generating device 41; andthe second recording control device 42, as with the recording apparatus40. The recording apparatus 50 is also provided with: adefect-management-information obtaining device 51.

The defect-management-information obtaining device 51 reads the defectmanagement information from the temporary defect management area on therecording medium, and stores this information into the memory device 22.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 50 will beexplained. For example, if the defect management information is alreadyrecorded in the temporary defect management area on the recording mediuminserted in the recording apparatus 50, thedefect-management-information obtaining device 51 reads the defectmanagement information from the temporary defect management area andstores this information into the memory device 22. Then, the seconddefect-management-information generating device 41 updates the defectmanagement information stored in the memory device 22 by thedefect-management-information obtaining device 51 when the record datais recorded into the data area by the first recording device 21. Then,the second recording control device 42 records the defect managementinformation into the temporary defect management area when the defectmanagement information is updated.

As described above, according to the recording apparatus 50, it canupdate this defect management information on the basis of the defectmanagement information recorded and maintained in the temporary defectmanagement area in the past. It can also record and maintain the updateddefect management information in the temporary defect management area.This makes it possible to reflect a defect newly formed in the data areato the defect management information, and to maintain this informationin the temporary defect management area on the recording medium.

Fifth Embodiment of Recording Apparatus

The fifth embodiment of the recording apparatus of the present inventionwill be explained. FIG. 6 shows the fifth embodiment of the recordingapparatus of the present invention. A recording apparatus 60 in FIG. 6is provided with: the first recording device 21; the memory device 22;the second recording device 23; and the third recording device 24, aswith the recording apparatus 20. The recording apparatus 60 is alsoprovided with: a finalize-command device 61; and a third recordingcontrol device 62.

The finalize-command device 61 gives a command for indicating tofinalize the recording medium. The finalizing includes an operation ofmaintaining or arranging a recording format on the recording mediumafter completing the recording of the record data on the recordingmedium on the basis of a recording state of the record data recorded atthat stage. In general, the finalizing is performed in the case wherethe rewritable-type recording medium is adapted to the recording formatof a recording medium of a reproduce only type (i.e., ROM-type). Thefinalizing on the recording apparatus 60 is performed mainly to adaptthe write-once-type recording medium to the recording format of therewritable-type recording medium or the recording medium of a reproduceonly type.

The third recording control device 62 controls the third recordingdevice 24 to record the defect management information stored in thememory device 22, into the definite defect management area when thecommand for indicating to finalize is given by the finalize-commanddevice 61.

Hereinafter, the operation of the recording apparatus 60 will beexplained. For example, when a user wants to reproduce the record datarecorded on the recording medium with the reproducing apparatus for therewritable-type recording medium or a reproducing apparatus for therecoding medium of a reproduce only type, the user inputs an instructionfor indicating to finalize to the recording apparatus 60. In response tothis input, the finalize-command device 61 gives a command forindicating to finalize the recording medium currently inserted in therecording apparatus 60. The embodiment may be constructed as follows:when the recording apparatus 60 judges that the data area of therecording medium is filled with the record data and that it is notpreferable to record more record data, the recording apparatus 60performs the finalizing automatically. If such a construction is taken,the finalize-command device 61 gives a command for indicating tofinalize the recording medium in response to the judgment describedabove of the recording apparatus 60.

The third recording control device 62 controls the third recordingdevice 24 to record the defect management information stored in thememory device 22 into the definite defect management area when thecommand for indicating to finalize is given by the finalize-commanddevice 61. As a result, the defect management information is recordedinto the definite defect management area of the recording medium afterthe recording medium is finalized. This allows the compatibility betweenthe write-once-type recording medium and the rewritable-type recordingmedium and allows the reproduction of the write-once-type recordingmedium with the reproducing apparatus for the rewritable-type recordingmedium.

As described above, according to the recording apparatus 60, the defectmanagement information can be recorded into the definite defectmanagement area upon the finalizing, and this allows the compatibilitybetween the write-once-type recording medium and the rewritable-typerecording medium. The finalizing is performed mostly when the userthinks the recording of the record data is completed. Therefore, byusing the opportunity of finalizing and recording the defect managementinformation into the definite defect management area, it is possible toestablish the compatibility between the write-once-type recording mediumand the rewritable-type recording medium at a timing in line with theuser's intention or will.

Various Aspects in the Embodiments of Recording Apparatus

Various aspects in the embodiments of the recording apparatus will beexplained. The first generating device 31 for generating the defectmanagement information or the second generating device 41 for generatingthe defect management information may comprise: a defect-detectingdevice for detecting a defect in the data area; and a reserving devicefor reserving or ensuring the spare area corresponding to the defect inthe data area. This allows the making of the defect list.

Moreover, the finalize-command device 61 may give a command forindicating to finalize in response to an eject command. When a userwants to reproduce the record data recorded on the recording medium withanother reproducing apparatus, the user ejects the recording medium fromthe recording apparatus. Thus, it is preferable to construct theembodiment such that the finalizing is performed in response to theeject command given when the recording medium is ejected from therecording apparatus and then the defect management information isrecorded into the definite defect management area. This makes itpossible to establish the compatibility between the write-once-typerecording medium and the rewritable-type recording medium in line withthe user's will.

Moreover, the defect management information may be recorded by thesecond recording device 23 repeatedly at a plurality of times in anunrecorded area in the temporary defect management area. For example, atone opportunity of the recording operation, the defect managementinformation with the same content is recorded repeatedly at a pluralityof times in the unrecorded area in the temporary defect management area.This makes it possible to surely maintain the defect managementinformation on the recording medium before the finalizing, for example.

Moreover, the defect management information may be recorded by the thirdrecording device 24 repeatedly at a plurality of times in an unrecordedarea in the definite defect management area. For example, at oneopportunity of the recording operation, the defect managementinformation with the same content is recorded repeatedly at a pluralityof times in the unrecorded area in the definite defect management area.This makes it possible to surely maintain the defect managementinformation on the recording medium after the finalizing, for example.

Moreover, the defect management information may be recorded by thesecond recording device 23 redundantly in a plurality of temporarydefect management areas present at a plurality of positions on therecording medium. Namely, in the case where there are a plurality oftemporary defect management areas on the recording medium, which is theobject of the recording by the recording apparatus, e.g., the case wherethe areas are on the inner circumferential side and the outercircumferential side of a disc or the case where the areas are onrelative layers of a two-layer disc, the defect management informationwith the same content is recorded redundantly in each of the pluralityof temporary defect management areas. This makes it possible to surelymaintain the defect management information on the recording mediumbefore the finalizing, for example.

Moreover, the defect management information may be recorded by the thirdrecording device 24 redundantly in a plurality of definite defectmanagement areas present at a plurality of positions on the recordingmedium. This makes it possible to surely maintain the defect managementinformation on the recording medium after the finalizing, for example.

Furthermore, any one of the recording apparatuses 20 to 60 may befurther provided with an area setting device for setting the area (e.g.,the areal size) of the temporary defect management area and setting theposition of the data area depending on this set area of the temporarydefect management area. For example, if the temporary defect managementarea is set to be large, more defect management information can berecorded in the temporary defect management area. Namely, in this case,the defect management information can be recorded in a row in anunrecorded area many times, so that each defect management informationcan be recorded and maintained even if the updating is performed manytimes. Therefore, it is possible to maintain or increase the reliabilityof the recording and reproducing of the record data even when therecording medium is used in a bad environment in which a defect occursoften. Moreover, if the temporary defect management area is set to belarge, it is possible to increase the number of the defect managementinformation with the same content which is recorded repeatedly orredundantly. Therefore, it is possible to increase the robustness orcertainty of recording and maintaining the defect managementinformation. On the other hand, if the temporary defect management areais set to be small or narrow, it is possible to ensure the data area tobe large by just that much. Therefore, it is possible to increase thesubstantial recording capacity of the recording medium. If setting therange of the temporary defect management area by the area setting deviceis entrusted to a user, it is possible to appropriately set thetemporary defect management area depending on the user's using aspectsof the recording medium.

First Embodiment of Reproducing Apparatus

The first embodiment of the reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention will be explained. FIG. 7 shows the first embodiment of thereproducing apparatus of the present invention. A reproducing apparatus70 in FIG. 7 is a reproducing apparatus for reproducing record datarecorded on the above described write-once-type recording medium of theembodiment of the present invention. For example, the reproducingapparatus 70 reproduces the record data recorded on the above-describedrecording medium 10.

As shown in FIG. 7, the reproducing apparatus 70 is provided with: amemory device 71; a first reading device 72; and a reproducing device73.

The first reading device 72 reads the defect management informationrecorded in the temporary defect management area and stores thisinformation into the memory device 22. For example, if the recordingmedium is an optical-type, the first reading device 72 is provided withan optical pickup and a controller for controlling the optical pickup.

The reproducing device 73 reproduces the record data recorded in thedata area on the basis of the defect management information stored inthe memory device 71. For example, if the record data is image data, thereproducing device 73 is provided with a decoder for converting theimage data to an image signal displayable on a display.

Hereinafter, the operation of the reproducing apparatus 70 will beexplained. For example, when the write-once-type recording medium, likethe recording medium 10, which is the object of the reproduction by thereproducing apparatus 70 is inserted or loaded in the reproducingapparatus 70, the first reading device 72 reads the defect managementinformation recorded in the temporary defect management area and storesthis information into the memory device 71. Upon recording, the recorddata is recorded so as to avoid a defect in the data area of therecording medium. Therefore, in order to reproduce the record datarecorded in this manner, it is necessary to recognize the position of adefect in the data area upon the reproducing. When reproducing therecord data, the reproducing device 73 refers to the defect listincluded in the defect management information and recognizes theposition of a defect in the data area on the basis of this defect list.It also recognizes the recording position of the record data recorded soas to avoid the defect and reproduces the record data.

As described above, according to the reproducing apparatus 70, it ispossible to surely reproduce the record data recorded on the recordingmedium while performing the defect management using the defectmanagement information recorded in the temporary defect management areaplaced between the control information recording area and the data area.

In the meanwhile, the defect management information includes the defectlist at least including information for indicating the position of adefect in the data area on the recording medium. However, not only theinformation for indicating the position of a defect in the data area,but also the following information may be included in the defectmanagement information. Namely, the defect list including: (a) thedefinition information for indicating the position of the data area; (b)the defect position information for indicating the position of a defectin the data area; and (c) the spare area position information forindicating the position of the spare area in which the record data to berecorded at the position of the defect is alternatively recorded, may beincluded in the defect management information.

Second Embodiment of Reproducing Apparatus

The second embodiment of the reproducing apparatus of the presentinvention will be explained. FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment of thereproducing apparatus of the present invention. A reproducing apparatus80 in FIG. 8 is provided with: the memory device 71; the first readingdevice 72; and the reproducing device 73 as with the reproducingapparatus 70. The reproducing apparatus 80 is also provided with: afinalize-detecting device 81; a second reading device 82; and a readingcontrol device 83.

The finalize-detecting device 81 detects whether of not the recordingmedium is already finalized. Whether or not to be already finalized canbe judged by checking the control information recorded in the controlinformation recording area on the recording medium, for example.

The second reading device 82 reads the defect management informationrecorded in the definite defect management area and stores thisinformation into the memory device 71. For example, if the recordingmedium is an optical-type, the second reading device 82 is provided withan optical pickup and a controller for controlling the optical pickup.

The reading control device 83 uses the second reading device 82 to readthe defect management information recorded in the definite defectmanagement area and stores this information into the memory device 71when it is detected that the recording medium is already finalized onthe basis of a detection result by the finalize-detecting device 81. Thereading control device 83 uses the first reading device 72 to read thedefect management information recorded in the temporary defectmanagement area and stores this information into the memory device 71when it is detected that the recording medium is not finalized yet.

Hereinafter, the operation of the reproducing apparatus 80 will beexplained. The reproducing apparatus 80 reads either the defectmanagement information recorded in the temporary defect management areaor the defect management information recorded in the definite defectmanagement area, stores this information into the memory device 71, andreproduces the record data while performing the defect management on thebasis of the defect management information stored in the memory device71.

Which defect management information is read out of the defect managementinformation recorded in the temporary defect management area or thedefect management information recorded in the definite defect managementarea is judged on the basis of whether or not the recording medium isalready finalized. In order to realize this judgment, firstly, thefinalize-detecting device 81 detects whether or not the recording mediumis already finalized. Then, on the basis of this detection result, whenit is detected that the recording medium is already finalized, thereading control device 83 uses the second reading device 82 to read thedefect management information recorded in the definite defect managementarea and stores this information into the memory device 71. On the otherhand, when it is detected that the recording medium is not finalizedyet, the reading control device 83 uses the first reading device 72 toread the defect management information recorded in the temporary defectmanagement area and stores this information into the memory device 71.

As described above, before the recording medium is finalized, the defectmanagement information is recorded in the temporary defect managementarea. Therefore, if the recording medium, which is the object ofreproduction, is not finalized yet, the defect management information isread from the temporary management area, and this information is usedfor the defect management and the reproduction of the record data on thereproducing apparatus 80. On the other hand, after the recording mediumis finalized, the defect management information is recorded in thedefinite defect management area. Therefore, if the recording medium,which is the object of reproduction, is already finalized, the defectmanagement information is read from the definite management area, andthis information is used for the defect management and the reproductionof the record data on the reproducing apparatus 80.

As described above, according to the reproducing apparatus 80, it isdetermined which information is used, the defect management informationrecorded in the temporary defect management area or the defectmanagement information recorded in the definite defect management area,on the basis of whether or not the recording medium is alreadyfinalized. Thus, depending on the situation of the recording medium, itis possible to perform the defect management and reproduce the recorddata by using the newest defect management information. That is because,as described above, the defect management information recorded in thedefinite defect management area by the finalizing is the newest defectmanagement information made or updated upon the finalizing orimmediately before the finalizing. Therefore, it is possible to increasethe reliability of the reproducing of the record data.

Incidentally, the embodiments of recording apparatus and reproducingapparatus described above may be realized in an integral form withhardware as an exclusive apparatus or may be realized by making acomputer read a program.

Embodiment of Recording Method

The embodiment of a recording method of the present invention will beexplained. The recording method of the present invention is a recordingmethod of recording record data onto the above described write-once-typerecording medium of the embodiment of the present invention, therecording method being provided with: a first recording process ofrecording the record data into the data area; adefect-management-information generating process of generating orupdating the defect management information; a second recording processof recording the defect management information generated or updated inthe defect-management-information generating process, into the temporarydefect management area; a finalize-command process of giving a commandfor indicating to finalize the recording medium; and a third recordingprocess of recording the defect management information generated orupdated in the defect-management-information generating process, intothe definite defect management area in case that the command forindicating to finalize is given in the finalize-command process.

In the recording method in the embodiment, at a stage before therecording medium is finalized, the defect management information isrecorded into the temporary defect management area in the secondrecording process. The temporary defect management area is placedbetween the control information recording area and the data area and isrelatively large. Thus, even if the defect management information isupdated a plurality of times, the updated defect management informationcan be recorded and maintained on the recording medium at each time.When the recording medium is finalized, the defect managementinformation is recorded into the definite defect management area in thethird recording process. The definite defect management area is placedin the control information recording area, and in this regard it is incommon with the rewritable-type recording medium in this point.Therefore, the defect management information recorded in the definitedefect management area can be reproduced by the reproducing apparatusfor the rewritable-type recording medium.

As described above, according to the recording method in the embodiment,it is possible to realize the compatibility between the write-once-typerecording medium and the rewritable-type recording medium.

Embodiment of Reproducing Method

The embodiment of a reproducing method of the present invention will beexplained. A reproducing method of reproducing record data recorded onthe above described write-once-type recording medium of the embodimentof the present invention, the reproducing method being provided with: adetecting process of detecting whether or not the recording medium isalready finalized; a first reading process of reading the defectmanagement information recorded in the temporary defect management areaand storing this information into the memory device in case that therecording medium is not finalized; a second reading process of readingthe defect management information recorded in the definite defectmanagement area and storing this information into the memory device incase that the recording medium is finalized; and a reproducing processof reproducing the record data recorded in the data area on the basis ofthe defect management information stored in the memory device.

In the recording method described above, before the recording medium isfinalized, the defect management information is recorded into thetemporary defect management area. On the other hand, if the recordingmedium is finalized, the defect management information is recorded intothe definite defect management area. In the reproducing method ofreproducing the recording medium, if the recording medium is notfinalized yet, the defect management information is read from thetemporary defect management area in the first reading process. On theother hand, if the recording medium is already finalized, the defectmanagement information is read from the definite defect management areain the second reading process. In the reproducing process, the recorddata is reproduced with the defect management performed, on the basis ofthe defect management information which is read in any one of thereading processes and which is stored in the memory device.

As described above, according to the reproducing method in theembodiment of the present invention, it is possible to perform thedefect management and reproduce the record data by using the newestdefect management information.

EXAMPLES

Examples of the present invention will be hereinafter explained withreference to the drawings. The examples below show that thewrite-once-type recording medium of the present invention is applied toa write-once-type optical disc and that the recording apparatus and thereproducing apparatus of the present invention are applied to arecording/reproducing apparatus for the write-once-type optical disc.

Example of Recording Medium

Firstly, the recording structure of the write-once-type optical disc inthe example of the present invention, and information and data recordedon the optical disc will be explained. FIG. 9 shows the write-once-typerecording medium which is the example of the present invention.Incidentally, the left side of FIG. 9 is the inner circumferential sideof a write-once-type optical disc 100, and the right side of FIG. 9 isthe outer circumferential side of the optical disc 100.

As shown in FIG. 9, there are a lead-in area 101 which is the controlinformation recording area on the inner circumferential side, a datazone 102 on the outer circumferential side of the lead-in area 101, anda lead-out area 103 which is the control information recording area onthe outer circumferential side of the data zone 102 on a recordingsurface of the optical disc 100. A first temporary defect managementarea 104 is placed between the lead-in area 101 and the data zone 102. Asecond temporary defect management area 105 is placed between the datazone 102 and the lead-out area 103.

In both the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area 103, controlinformation for controlling and management information for managing therecording and reading of information or data on the optical disc 100 arerecorded. The lead-in area 101 is provided with a definite defectmanagement area 106. The lead-out area 103 is provided with a definitedefect management area 107. In both the defect management areas 106 and107, defect management information 120 (refer to FIG. 10) is recorded.

The data zone 102 corresponds to the above-described data area 11 shownin FIG. 1. The data zone 102 is provided with: a user data area 108; andspare areas 109 and 110 on the inner and outer circumferential sides ofthe user data area 108, respectively. The user data area 108 is a mainarea to record the “record data”, such as image data, audio data, andcontents data. The spare areas 109 and 110 are intended to evacuate therecord data from a defect in the user data area 108. Namely, when thereis a defect in the user data area 108, the record data to be recorded oralready recorded at the position of the defect is alternatively recordedinto the spare area 109 or 110.

In the both the temporary defect management areas 104 and 105, thedefect management information 120 is recorded temporarily. Incidentally,the defect management information 120 is also recorded in the definitedefect management areas 106 and 107. The difference between the definitedefect management areas 106 and 107 and the temporary defect managementareas 104 and 105 will be described later.

Next, the defect management information 120 will be explained. Thedefect management information 120 is used for the defect managementperformed by a recording/reproducing apparatus 200 (refer to FIG. 14).The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 performs the defect managementwhen recording the record data onto the optical disc 100 or whenreproducing the record data from the optical disc 100. In the example,the defect management is mainly as follows. When there is a defect, suchas scratches, dusts, or deterioration, on the user data area on theoptical disc 100, the record data is recorded away from the position ofthe defect. At the same time, the record data to be originally recordedor already recorded at the position of the defect is recorded into thespare area 109 or 110. Moreover, the following operations are alsoperformed as a part of the defect management: an operation ofrecognizing the position of a defect upon reproducing the record datarecorded in the user data area 108 and an operation of reading from thespare area 109 or 110 the record data to be originally recorded oralready recorded at the position of the defect. In order to perform sucha defect management, the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 needs torecognize the position of a defect in the user data area 108. The defectmanagement information 120 is mainly used for the recording/reproducingapparatus 200 to recognize the position of a defect.

FIG. 10 shows the content of defect management information 120. As shownin FIG. 10, setting information 121 and a defect list 122 are includedin the defect management information 120.

The setting information 121 includes: a start address of the user dataarea 108; an end address of the user data area 108; the size of theinner spare area 109; the size of the outer spare area 110; and otherinformation, as shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 shows the content of the defect list 122. As shown in FIG. 11,on the defect list 122, there are recorded an address for indicating theposition of a defect in the user data area 108 (which is hereinafterreferred to as a “defect address”), an address for indicating therecording position in the spare area 109 or 110 of the record data to berecorded or already recorded at the position of the defect (which ishereinafter referred to as a “spare address”); and other information.When there are a plurality of defects in the user data area 108, aplurality of defect addresses and spare areas corresponding to thedefects are recorded on the defect list 122.

Incidentally, the defect management can be performed not only for theuser data area 108 on the optical disc 100 but also for the entirerecording surface of the optical disc 100.

Next, an aspect about recording of the defect management information 120will be explained. The temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 onthe optical disc 100 and the definite defect management areas 106 and107 are all intended to record therein the defect management information120. However, The temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 on theoptical disc 100 and the definite defect management areas 106 and 107differ in their locations, sizes, and purposes for use. Hereinafter,their differences will be specifically explained.

FIG. 12 shows one example of the situation that the defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in the temporary defect management area 104or 105. The temporary defect management areas 104 and 105 are intendedto record the defect management information 120 temporarily until theoptical disc 100 is finalized. The defect management information 120 isnecessary for the defect management. The presence or absence and theposition of a defect are different for each optical disc, so that it isnecessary to record and maintain the defect management information 120on each optical disc. In the example, at a stage before the finalizing,the defect management information 120 is recorded and maintained in thetemporary defect management area 104 or 105 on the optical disc 100.

In the example, as shown in FIG. 12, the defect management information120 is recorded twice repeatedly in an unrecorded area in the temporarydefect management area 104 or 105. Incidentally, FIG. 12 shows the fourdefect management information 120 in total because such a process ofrepeatedly recording the defect management information 120 is performedtwice in an unrecorded area. This makes it possible to surely record andreproduce the defect management information 120.

Until the optical disc 100 is finalized, the defect managementinformation 120 may be updated several times in some cases. For example,if dusts are attached on the optical disc 100 between the firstrecording and the second recording (i.e., additional or postscriptrecording), the defect (or dusts) is detected upon the second recording.On the basis of this detection, the defect list 122 is updated. When thedefect list 122 is updated, the defect management information 120including the updated defect list 122 is recorded into the temporarydefect management area 104 or 105. The optical disc 100 is awrite-once-type recording medium but not a rewritable-type recordingmedium, so that it is impossible to overwrite the updated defectmanagement information 120 on the existing defect management information120. Thus, as shown in FIG. 12, the updated defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in series after the existing defectmanagement information 120.

In order to realize such repeated and serial recording of the defectmanagement information 120, the temporary defect management areas 104and 105 are larger than the definite defect management areas 106 and107.

FIG. 13 shows one example of the situation that the defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in the definite defect management area 106or 107. The definite defect management areas 106 and 107 are intended torecord the defect management information 120 definitely when the opticaldisc 100 is finalized. Namely, at a stage before the finalizing, thedefinite defect management areas 106 and 107 are unrecorded (or blank).When the optical disc 100 is finalized, the defect managementinformation 120 is recorded in the definite defect management areas 106and 107, and the recording situation is continued subsequently.

In the example, as shown in FIG. 13, the defect management information120 is recorded twice in a row in an unrecorded area in the definitedefect management area 106 or 107. This makes it possible to surelyrecord and reproduce the defect management information 120.

According to the optical disc 100 in the example, the temporary defectmanagement area (104, 105) is placed between the control informationrecording area (the lead-in area 101 or the lead-out area 103), whichallows the compatibility between the write-once-type optical disc 100and a general rewritable optical disc. In order to realize thecompatibility with a general rewritable-type optical disc, thewrite-once-type optical disc 100 needs to have the lead-in area, thedata zone, and the lead-out area, and needs to maintain a basicrecording structure, such as the order, position, and size (area) of theareas. The optical disc 100 maintains such a basic recording structurealthough it is provided with the temporary defect management areas 104and 105, which allows the compatibility. Namely, if the temporary defectmanagement area 104 is placed in the lead-in area 101, because thetemporary defect management area 104 is relatively large as describedabove, there is no choice to extend the size of the lead-in area 101,which is unfavorable. In this example, however, such a disadvantage doesnot occur because the temporary defect management area 104 is placed outof the lead-in area 101. Moreover, if the temporary defect managementarea 104 is placed in the data zone 102, the defect managementinformation 120 having properties of the control information is includedin the data zone 102 which is an area in which the record data issupposed to be recorded, causing the disadvantage that the controlinformation and the record data, which is information having propertiesdifferent from those of the control information, are mixed in the datazone 102. In this example, however, such a disadvantage does not occurbecause the temporary defect management area 104 is placed out of thedata zone 102. The same is true for the defect management area 105.

The start address and end address of the user area 108, and the sizeinformation of the spare areas 109 and 110 are included in the settinginformation 121 in the defect management information 120 (refer to FIG.10). This setting information 121 can be set by therecording/reproducing apparatus 200. Namely, it is allowed to change thestart address and end address of the user area 108, and the sizes of thespare areas 109 and 110 if they are clearly shown as the settinginformation 121. Even if they are changed, it is possible to maintainthe compatibility with a general rewritable-type recording medium.Therefore, it is possible to ensure a space between the lead-in area 101and the data zone 102 by shifting the start address of the user dataarea 108 backward (to the outer circumferential side), and it ispossible to place the temporary defect management area 104 in the space.Depending on how to set the start address of the user data area 108, itis possible to reserve or ensure the relatively wider (large-sized)temporary defect management area 104. The same is true for the temporarydefect management area 105.

According to the optical disc 100, the definite defect management areas106 and 107 are placed in the lead-in area 101 and the lead-out area103, respectively, which allows the compatibility between thewrite-once-type optical disc 100 and a general rewritable optical disc.Namely, a general rewritable optical disc has areas to record the defectmanagement information, the areas being placed in both the lead-in areaand the lead-out area. The optical disc 100 also has the definite defectmanagement areas 106 and 107 placed in the lead-in area 101 and thelead-out area 103, respectively. At this point, their recordingstructures coincide. Therefore, it is possible to ensure thecompatibility between the write-once-type optical disc 100 and a generalrewritable-type optical disc.

Example of Recording/Reproducing Apparatus

The structure of a recording/reproducing apparatus in the example of thepresent invention will be explained. FIG. 14 shows therecording/reproducing apparatus 200, which is an example of the presentinvention. The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 is provided with: afunction of recording the record data onto the optical disc 100; and afunction of reproducing the record data recorded on the optical disc100.

The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 is provided with: a disc drive300; and a backend 400.

FIG. 15 shows the inner structure of the disc drive 300. The disc drive300 records information onto the optical disc 100 and reads theinformation recorded on the optical disc 100.

As shown in FIG. 15, the disc drive 300 is provided with: a spindlemotor 351; an optical pickup 352; a Radio Frequency (RF) amplifier 353;and a servo circuit 354.

The spindle motor 351 is a motor for rotating the optical disc 100.

The optical pickup 352 records the record data or the like onto therecording surface of the optical disc 100 by irradiating the recordingsurface with a light beam, and reads the record data or the likerecorded on the recording surface by receiving reflected light of thelight beam. The optical pickup 352 outputs a RF signal corresponding tothe reflected light of the light beam.

The RF amplifier 353 amplifies the RF signal outputted from the opticalpickup 352 and outputs it to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 355. Moreover, theRF amplifier 353 makes, from the RF signal, a wobble frequency signalWF, a track error signal TE, and a focus error signal FE, and outputsthem.

The servo circuit 354 is a servo control circuit for controlling thedriving of the optical pickup 352 and the spindle motor 351 on the basisof the track error signal TE, the focus error signal FE, and other servocontrol signals.

As shown in FIG. 15, the disc drive 300 is provided with: the CODEC 355;a buffer 356; an interface 357; and a light beam driving device 358.

The CODEC 355 is a circuit, provided with: a function of performing anerror correction for the record data upon reading; and a function ofappending an error correction code or mark to the record data uponrecording so as to demodulate and decode the record data. Specifically,the CODEC 355 demodulates and decodes the RF signal outputted from theRF amplifier 353 upon reading, performs an error correction for thedecoded RF signal, and then outputs this to the buffer 356. Moreover, ifthe error correction is impossible as a result of performing the errorcorrection for the decoded RF signal, the CODEC 355 generates anerror-correction-impossible signal for indicating that, and outputs thissignal to a defect detector 359. Upon recording, the CODEC 355 appendsthe error correction code to the record data outputted from the buffer356, demodulates and decodes this data to have a code suited to theoptical characteristics or the like of the optical disc 100, and thenoutputs the decoded record data to the light beam driving device 358.

The buffer 356 is a memory circuit for storing the record datatemporarily.

The interface 357 is a circuit for controlling the input/output orcommunication of the record data or the like between the disc drive 300and the backend 400. Specifically, upon reproducing, the interface 357responds a request command from the backend 400, and outputs the recorddata outputted from the buffer 356 (i.e. the record data read from theoptical disc 100) to the backend 400. Upon recording, the interface 357receives the record data which is inputted from the backend 400 to thedisc drive 300, and outputs this data to the buffer 356. The interface357 responds a request command from the backend 400 and outputs all orpart of the defect lists maintained in a generator 360 for generatingDefect Management Information (DMI generator 360) to the backend 400.

Upon recording, the light beam driving device 358 generates a light beamdriving signal corresponding to the record data outputted from the CODEC355, and outputs this signal to the optical pickup 352. The opticalpickup 352 modulates a light beam on the basis of the light beam drivingsignal, and irradiates the recording surface of the optical disc 100with it. This causes the recording of the record data or the like on therecording surface.

As shown in FIG. 15, the disc drive 300 is provided with: the defectdetector 359; and the DMI generator 360.

The defect detector 359 is a circuit for detecting a defect on theoptical disc 100. The defect detector 359 generates a defect detectionsignal for indicating the presence or absence of a defect, and outputsthis signal. The defect detector 359 detects a defect on the basis ofthe result of the error correction of the record data upon readinginformation (upon verifying or reproducing). As described above, if theerror correction is impossible as a result of performing the errorcorrection for the decoded RF signal, the CODEC 355 generates the errorcorrection impossible signal for indicating the fact, and outputs thissignal to the defect detector 359. The defect detector 359 outputs thedefect detection signal for indicating the presence of a defect whenreceiving this error correction impossible signal.

The DMI generator 360 is a circuit for generating or updating the defectmanagement information 120 on the basis of the defect detection signaloutputted from the defect detector 359. The defect managementinformation 120 is rewritably stored into a memory circuit placed in theDMI generator 360. The DMI generator 360 responds to a request commandfrom the backend 400 and outputs the defect management information 120to the backend 400 through the interface 357.

As shown in FIG. 15, the disc drive 300 is equipped with a CentralProcessing Unit (CPU) 361. The CPU 361 controls the disc drive 300 as awhole, and controls the exchange of information among the elements inthe disc drive 300 described above. The CPU 361 also controls therecording operation and reading operation of the record data and thedefect management information 120. The CPU 361 responds to a controlcommand or a request commend transmitted from the backend 400 andcontrols the exchange of data between the disc drive 300 and the backend400.

FIG. 16 shows the inner structure of the backend 400. The backend 400 isan apparatus for reproducing the record data read from the optical disc100 with the disc drive 300, receiving the record data supplied from theoutside in order to record it onto the optical disc 100, compressing andencoding this record data, and transmitting it to the disc drive 300.

The backend 400 is provided with: a drive controller 471; a videodecoder 472; an audio decoder 473; a video encoder 474; an audio encoder475; a system controller 476; and a defect management device 477.

The drive controller 471 is a circuit for controlling the readingprocessing and recording processing of the disc drive 300. The backend400 and the disc drive 300 cooperate and perform an operation of readingthe record data from the optical disc 100 and reproducing it and anoperation of receiving the record data from the outside and recording itonto the optical disc 100. The drive controller 471 realizes thecooperation of the backend 400 and the disc drive 300 by controlling thereading processing and recording processing of the disc drive 300.Specifically, the drive controller 471 outputs to the disc drive 300request commands about reading, recording, outputting the record datafrom the buffer 356, outputting the defect management information 120from the DMI generator 360, and so on. The drive controller 471 alsocontrols the input and output of the record data, the defect managementinformation 120, and other various information.

The video decoder 472 and the audio decoder 473 are circuits fordecoding the record data which is read from the optical disc 100 by thedisc drive 300 and which is supplied through the drive controller 471and converting the record data to be reproducible with a display, aspeaker, or the like.

The video encoder 474 and the audio encoder 475 are circuit forreceiving a video signal, an audio signal, or the like inputted from theoutside for the purpose of recording them on the optical disc 100,compressing and encoding them by Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)compressing and encoding method or the like, and supplying them to thedisc drive 300 through the drive controller 471.

The system controller 476 is a circuit for controlling: the drivecontroller 471; the video decoder 472; the audio decoder 473; and thedefect management device 477, and reproducing the record data incooperation with the devices. Upon recording, the system controller 476controls: the drive controller 471; the video encoder 474; the audioencoder 475; and the defect management device 477, to thereby record therecord data in cooperation with the devices. Upon reproducing andrecording, the system controller 476 controls the disc drive 300 (e.g.controls the generation and transmission of various request commands,the reception of a response signal, or the like) with the drivecontroller 471 in order to realize the cooperation of the disc drive 300and the backend 400.

The defect management device 477 has therein a memory circuit and has afunction of receiving and maintaining all or part of the defectmanagement information 120 made or updated by the DMI generator 360 inthe disc drive 300. The defect management device 477 performs the defectmanagement with the system controller 476.

Next, an initial setting operation of the recording/reproducingapparatus 200 will be explained. FIG. 17 shows an initial settingoperation of the recording/reproducing apparatus 200. Therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 performs the initial setting between(i) when the optical disc 100 is inserted or loaded in the drive unit300 and (ii) when the record data is recorded or reproduced. The initialsetting is processing for preparing for the recording or reproducing ofthe record data, and includes various processing. Out of the processing,the initialization of the optical disc 100, the generation of the defectmanagement information 120, the transmission of the defect managementinformation 120 to the backend 400, or the like will be explained below.The processing is performed mainly under the control of the CPU 361 ofthe drive unit 300.

As shown in FIG. 17, when the optical disc 100 is inserted or loadedinto the drive unit 300, the CPU 361 of the drive unit 300 judgeswhether or not the optical disc 100 is an unrecorded disc i.e., a blankdisc (step S11).

When the optical disc 100 is a blank disc (the step S11: YES), the CPU361 initializes the optical disc 100 (step S12). In this initializing,the DMI generator 360 generates the defect management information 120(step S13). Specifically, it obtains the start address and end addressof the user data area 108 and the sizes of the spare areas 109 and 110,which are set in the initializing, and generates the setting information121. Moreover, it generates the defect list 122. The defect list 122generated at this time has only an outline, not having any content.Namely, the defect address is not recorded in it, nor is the specificspare address. A header, identification information, or the like areonly recorded. The generated defect management information 120 is storedand maintained in the DMI generator 360.

Then, the CPU 361 transmits the defect management information 120 storedin the DMI generator 360 to the backend 400 (step S14). The defectmanagement information 120 is stored into the defect management device477 of the backend 400.

Then, the CPU 361 records the defect management information 120 storedin the DMI generator 360 twice repeatedly in an unrecorded area in thetemporary defect management area 104 or 105 of the optical disc 100(step S15).

On the other hand, when the optical disc 100 is not a blank disc (thestep S11: NO), the CPU 361 judges whether or not the optical disc 100 isalready finalized (step S16). The finalizing is processing for arranginga recording format so that the optical disc 100 can be reproduced by areproducing apparatus for a general rewritable-type optical disc and areproducing apparatus for a general optical disc of a reproduce onlytype. It is possible to recognize whether or not the optical disc 100 isalready finalized by referring to the control information recorded inthe lead-in area or the like.

When the optical disc 100 is not finalized yet (the step S16: NO), theCPU 361 reads the defect management information 120 from the temporarydefect management area 104 or 105 of the optical disc 100 (step S17).Namely, when the optical disc 100 is not a blank disc, because thedefect management information 120 already generated in the past isrecorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105, thisinformation is read in the step.

Moreover, if a plurality of defect management information 120 isrecorded in the temporary defect management area 104 or 105, the CPU 361selects and reads the newest defect management information 120 amongthem (step S18). Namely, at a stage before the finalizing, the defectmanagement information 120 is recorded in the temporary defectmanagement area 104 or 105 every time it is updated. The plurality ofdefect management information 120 is arranged in series in the updatedorder. Therefore, the defect management information placed at the end isthe newest defect management information in the temporary defectmanagement area 104 or 105. The CPU 361 selects and reads the defectmanagement information placed at the end.

In order to specify the defect management information 120 placed at theend (or the last defect management information 120), the example adoptsthe following method. Namely, in the case where a plurality of defectmanagement information 120 are already recorded sequentially in a row inthe temporary defect management area 104 or 105, information is recordedfrom the start address of the temporary defect management area 104 or105 to the end address of the area in which the last defect managementinformation 120 is recorded, and the subsequent area is unrecorded orblank. The CPU 361 controls the optical pickup 352 and scans thetemporary defect management area 104 or 105, starting from the startaddress. Then, it detects a position from which a blank condition startsand scans backward the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 fromthe position. This is how to specify the last defect managementinformation 120. By this type of method, it is possible to easilyspecify the last or latest defect management information 120 withoutusing a pointer or the like.

The CPU 361 stores the read last defect management information 120 intothe DMI generator 360 and transmits this information to the backend 400(step S19). The last defect management information 120 is stored intothe defect management device 477 of the backend 400.

On the other hand, when the optical disc 100 is not a blank disc but isalready finalized (the step S16: YES), the CPU 361 reads the defectmanagement information 120 from the definite defect management area 106or 107 (step S20), and transmits this information to the backend 400(step S21). The defect management information 120 is stored into thedefect management device 477 of the backend 400.

As described above, the defect management information 120 is generated,or is selectively read from the temporary defect management area 104 or105, or is read from the definite defect management area 106 or 107.Then, it is recorded into the DMI generator 360 and is recorded into thedefect management device 477 of the backend 400. This completes thepreparation for the defect management and ends the initial setting.

Next, a recording operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus 200will be explained. FIG. 18 mainly shows a recording operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus 200. The recording/reproducing apparatus200 performs a recording operation of recording the record data into theuser data area 108 on the optical disc 100. The recording/reproducingapparatus 200 performs the recording operation while performing thedefect management. The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 performsverifying during the recording operation and updates the defect list 122on the basis of the verifying. The recording operation is realized bythe cooperation of the CPU 361 of the disc drive 300 and the systemcontroller 376 of the backend 400.

As shown in FIG. 18, after judging whether or not an instruction ofejecting, finalizing or reproducing the record data from the opticaldisc 100 is given (steps S31, S32 and S33), when a user inputs aninstruction of starting to record (step S34: YES), therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 responds to this and records therecord data (step S35). The record data is recorded into eachpredetermined block. The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 refers tothe defect management information stored in the defect management device477 of the backend 400 and records the record data while performing thedefect management on the basis of the information.

The recording/reproducing apparatus 200 performs verifying at each timeof the one block recording (step S36), and updates the defect managementinformation 120 on the basis of the result of the verifying.Incidentally, the defect management information 120 which is updated isthe defect management information stored in the DMI generator 360 of thedrive unit 300. Specifically, when it is recognized, as a result of theverifying, that the record data fails to be record (step S37: YES), theCPU 361 of the disc drive 300 records the record data that fails to berecorded into the spare area 109 or 110 (step S38). Then, the CPU 361estimates that there is a defect in a place in which the record data issupposed to be recorded, and records the defect address for indicatingthe place and the corresponding spare address onto the defect list 122(step S39).

When the above-described steps S35 to S39 ends with respect to a seriesof blocks of the record data to be recorded this time, the CPU 361records the updated defect management information 120 twice repeatedlyin the unrecorded area in the temporary defect management area 104 or105 of the optical disc 100 (step S41). Incidentally, the defectmanagement information 120 recorded in the temporary defect managementarea 104 or 105 is the defect management information stored in the DMIgenerator 360. Then, the recording operation is completed.

Next, a finalize operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus 200will be explained. FIG. 19 shows a finalize operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus 200. For example, when the user inputsan instruction for indicating to finalize (the step S32 in FIG. 18:YES), as shown in FIG. 19, the recording/reproducing apparatus 200confirms that the optical disc 100 is not finalized yet (step S51: NO)and finalizes the optical disc 100 (step S52). Upon finalizing, therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 records the defect managementinformation 120 twice repeatedly in the unrecorded area in the definitedefect management area 106 or 107 on the optical disc 100 (step S53).Incidentally, the defect management information 120 recorded in thedefinite defect management area 106 or 107 is the defect managementinformation stored in the DMI generator 360. Then, the finalizing iscompleted.

Next, when the user inputs an instruction to eject the optical disc 100from the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 (the step S31 in FIG. 18:YES), as shown in FIG. 20, the recording/reproducing apparatus 200ejects the optical disc 100 immediately (step S61).

Next, a reproduction operation of the recording/reproducing apparatus200 will be explained. FIG. 21 shows a reproduction operation of therecording/reproducing apparatus 200.

When the user inputs an instruction of starting to reproduce (the stepS33 in FIG. 18: YES), as shown in FIG. 21, the recording/reproducingapparatus 200 confirms that the optical disc 100 is not a blank disc(the step S 71: NO), and reproduces the record data recorded in the userdata area 108 on the optical disc 100 (step S72). Therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 reproduces the record data whileperforming the defect management on the basis of the defect managementinformation 120 stored in the defect management device 477 of thebackend 400.

As described above, according to the recording/reproducing apparatus200, it records the defect management information 120 into the temporarydefect management area 104 or 105 on the optical disc 100 beforefinalizing the optical disc 100, and it records the defect managementinformation 120 into the definite defect management area 106 or 107 onthe optical disc 100 when finalizing the optical disc 100. With respectto the optical disc 100 which is not finalized yet, therecording/reproducing apparatus 200 reads the defect managementinformation 120 from the temporary defect management area 104 or 105 onthe optical disc 100. With respect to the optical disc 100 which isalready finalized, the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 reads thedefect management information 120 from the definite defect managementarea 106 or 107 on the optical disc 100. This makes it possible torealize the recording or reproducing of the record data while performingthe appropriate defect management with respect to both the optical disc100 which is not finalized yet and the optical disc 100 which is alreadyfinalized.

According to the recording/reproducing apparatus 200 in the example, itis constructed to record the defect management information 120 into thedefinite defect management area 106 or 107 on the optical disc 100 uponfinalizing. Thus, it is possible to establish the compatibility betweenthe write-once-type optical disc 100 and a general rewritable opticaldisc.

In the above-described example, the case where the write-once-typerecording medium of the present invention is applied to a one-layeroptical disc is taken as the example. The present invention, however, isnot limited to this example and can be applied to a two or more layeroptical disc. FIG. 22 shows another example in which the write-once-typerecording medium of the present invention is applied to a two-layeroptical disc 150. A first layer of the two-layer optical disc 150 inFIG. 22 (the upper part of FIG. 22) is provided with: a lead-in area151; a data zone 152; and a lead-out area 153, as with the optical disc100, with a temporary defect management area 154 placed between thelead-in area 151 and the data zone 152, and with a temporary defectmanagement area 155 placed between the data zone 152 and the lead-outarea 153. The lead-in area 151 and the lead-out area 153 are providedwith definite defect management areas 156 and 157, respectively. Thedata zone 152 is provided with: a user data area 158; a spare area 159;and a spare area 160. A second layer is provided with: a lead-in area171; a data zone 172; and a lead-out area 173, as with the optical disc100, with a temporary defect management area 174 placed between thelead-in area 171 and the data zone 172, and with a temporary defectmanagement area 175 placed between the data zone 172 and the lead-outarea 173. The lead-in area 171 and the lead-out area 173 are providedwith definite defect management areas 176 and 177, respectively. Thedata zone 172 is provided with: a user data area 178; a spare area 179;and a spare area 180.

The present invention can be changed if desired without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the invention which can be read from the claimsand the entire specification. A write-once-type recording medium, arecording apparatus, a reproducing apparatus, a recording method, areproducing method, and a computer program that realizes thesefunctions, which accompany such changes, are also intended to be withinthe technical scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

A write-once-type recording medium, a recording apparatus and arecording method for the write-once-type recording medium, a reproducingapparatus and a reproducing method for the write-once-type recordingmedium, and a computer program that realizes these functions associatedwith the present invention can be applied to a high-density recordingmedium, such as an optical disc, a magnetic disc, and a magneto-opticaldisc, for example. Moreover, they can be applied to a recording medium,a recording/reproducing apparatus, or the like, which are mounted on orcan be connected to various computer equipment, for example.

1. A write-once-type recording medium comprising: a data area to recordtherein record data; a control information recording area to recordtherein information for controlling an operation of recording and/orreading in said data area, said control information recording areaincluding a definite defect management area to record therein defectmanagement information of said data area; and a temporary defectmanagement area to temporarily record therein the defect managementinformation of said data area, said temporary defect management areabeing located between said control information recording area and saiddata area.
 2. The write-once-type recording medium according to claim 1,wherein said temporary defect management area is a first temporarydefect management area located between (i) said control informationrecording area located on an inner circumferential side of said dataarea and (ii) said data area.
 3. The write-once-type recording mediumaccording to claim 1, wherein said temporary defect management area is afirst temporary defect management area located between (i) said controlinformation recording area placed located on an outer circumferentialside of said data area and (ii) said data area
 4. The write-once-typerecording medium according to claim 1, wherein said temporary defectmanagement area is large enough to record therein the defect managementinformation of said data area a plurality of times repeatedly.
 5. Thewrite-once-type recording medium according to claim 1, wherein said dataarea includes a spare area for recording the record data which isevacuated from a defect.
 6. A recording apparatus for recording recorddata onto a write-once-type recording medium comprising: (i) a data areato record therein the record data; (ii) a control information recordingarea to record therein information for controlling an operation ofrecording and/or reading in said data area, said control informationrecording area including a definite defect management area to recordtherein defect management information of said data area; and (iii) atemporary defect management area to temporarily record therein thedefect management information of said data area, said temporary defectmanagement area being located between said control information recordingarea and said data area, said recording apparatus comprising: a firstrecording device for recording the record data into said data area; amemory device for storing therein the defect management information; asecond recording device for recording the defect management informationstored in said memory device, into said temporary defect managementarea; and a third recording device for recording the defect managementinformation stored in said memory device, into said definite defectmanagement area.
 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 6,wherein the defect management information includes: definitioninformation for indicating a position of said data area; and a defectlist including (i) defect position information for indicating a positionof a defect in the said data area and (ii) spare area positioninformation for indicating a position of a spare area at which therecord data to be recorded at the position of the defect isalternatively recorded.
 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 6,further comprising: a first defect-management-information generatingdevice for generating the defect management information with respect tosaid write-once-type recording medium, on which the record data isunrecorded, and storing the generated defect management information intosaid memory device; and a first recording control device for controllingsaid second recording device to record the defect management informationinto said temporary defect management area in case that the defectmanagement information is generated by said firstdefect-management-information generating device.
 9. The recordingapparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a seconddefect-management-information generating device for generating orupdating the defect management information and storing the generated orupdated defect management information into said memory device, in casethat the record data is recorded by said first recording device intosaid data area; and a second recording control device for controllingsaid second recording device to record the defect management informationinto said temporary defect management area in case that the defectmanagement information is generated or updated by said seconddefect-management-information generating device.
 10. The recordingapparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: adefect-management-information obtaining device for reading the defectmanagement information from said temporary defect management area onsaid write-once-type recording medium, on which the defect managementinformation is recorded in said temporary defect management area, andstoring the read defect management information into said memory device,wherein said second defect-management-information generating deviceupdates the defect management information, which is stored by saiddefect-management-information obtaining device in said memory device, incase that the record data is recorded by said first recording deviceinto said data area, and said second recording control device recordsthe defect management information into said temporary defect managementarea in case that the defect management information is updated.
 11. Therecording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first or seconddefect-management-information generating device comprises: a defectdetecting device for detecting a defect in the said data area; and aspare area reserving device for reserving a spare area corresponding tothe defect in said data area.
 12. The recording apparatus according toclaim 6, further comprising: a finalize-command device for giving acommand for indicating to finalize said write-once-type recordingmedium; and a third recording control device for controlling said thirdrecording device to record the defect management information stored insaid memory device, into said definite defect management area in casethat the command for indicating to finalize is given by saidfinalize-command device.
 13. The recording apparatus according to claim12, wherein said finalize-command device gives the command forindicating to finalize in response to an eject command.
 14. Therecording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said second recordingdevice records the defect management information a plurality of timesrepeatedly in said temporary defect management area.
 15. (canceled) 16.The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said secondrecording device redundantly records the defect management informationin a plurality of temporary defect management areas present at aplurality of points respectively on said write-once-type recordingmedium.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The recording apparatus according to claim 6,further comprising an area setting device for setting an areal size ofsaid temporary defect management area and setting the position of saiddata area depending on the set areal size of said temporary defectmanagement area.
 19. A reproducing apparatus for reproducing record datarecorded on a write-once-type recording medium comprising: (i) a dataarea to record therein the record data; (ii) a control informationrecording area to record therein information for controlling anoperation of recording and/or reading in said data area, said controlinformation recording area including a definite defect management areato record therein defect management information of said data area; and(iii) a temporary defect management area to temporarily record thereinthe defect management information of said data area, said temporarydefect management area being located between said control informationrecording area and said data area, said reproducing apparatuscomprising: a memory device; a first reading device for reading thedefect management information recorded in said temporary defectmanagement area and storing the read defect management information intosaid memory device; and a reproducing device for reproducing the recorddata recorded in said data area on the basis of the defect managementinformation stored in said memory device.
 20. The reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 19, wherein the defect management informationincludes: definition information for indicating a position of said dataarea; and a defect list including (i) defect position information forindicating a position of a defect in the said data area and (ii) sparearea position information for indicating a position of a spare area atwhich the record data to be recorded at the position of the defect isalternatively recorded.
 21. The reproducing apparatus according to claim19, comprising: a finalize-detecting device for detecting whether or notsaid write-once-type recording medium is already finalized; a secondreading device for reading the defect management information recorded insaid definite defect management area and storing the read defectmanagement information into said memory device; and a reading controldevice for (i) controlling said second reading device to read the defectmanagement information recorded in said definite defect management areaand storing the read defect management information into said memorydevice in case that it is detected that said write-once-type recordingmedium is already finalized and (ii) controlling said first readingdevice to read the defect management information recorded in saidtemporary defect management area and storing the read defect managementinformation into said memory device in case that it is detected thatsaid write-once-type recording medium is not finalized yet, on the basisof a detection result by said finalize-detecting device.
 22. A computerprogram of instructions for tangibly embodying a program of instructionsexecutable by a computer to make the computer function as a recordingapparatus according to claim
 6. 23. A computer program of instructionsfor tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by acomputer to make the computer function as a reproducing apparatusaccording to claim
 19. 24. A recording method of recording record dataonto a write-once-type recording medium comprising: (i) a data area torecord therein the record data; (ii) a control information recordingarea to record therein information for controlling an operation ofrecording and/or reading in said data area, said control informationrecording area including a definite defect management area to recordtherein defect management information of said data area; and (iii) atemporary defect management area to temporarily record therein thedefect management information of said data area, said temporary defectmanagement area being located between said control information recordingarea and said data area, said recording method comprising: a firstrecording process of recording the record data into said data area; adefect-management-information generating process of generating orupdating the defect management information; a second recording processof recording the defect management information generated or updated insaid defect-management-information generating process, into saidtemporary defect management area; a finalize-command process of giving acommand for indicating to finalize said recording medium; and a thirdrecording process of recording the defect management informationgenerated or updated in said defect-management-information generatingprocess, into said definite defect management area in case that thecommand for indicating to finalize is given in said finalize-commandprocess.
 25. A reproducing method of reproducing record data recorded ona write-once-type recording medium comprising: (i) a data area to recordtherein the record data; (ii) a control information recording area torecord therein information for controlling an operation of recordingand/or reading in said data area, said control information recordingarea including a definite defect management area to record thereindefect management information of said data area; and (iii) a temporarydefect management area to temporarily record therein the defectmanagement information of said data area, said temporary defectmanagement area being located between said control information recordingarea and said data area, said reproducing method comprising: a detectingprocess of detecting whether or not said recording medium is alreadyfinalized; a first reading process of reading the defect managementinformation recorded in said temporary defect management area andstoring the read defect management information into said memory devicein case that it is detected that said write-once-type recording mediumis not finalized; a second reading process of reading the defectmanagement information recorded in said definite defect management areaand storing the read defect management information into said memorydevice in case that it is detected that said write-once-type recordingmedium is already finalized; and a reproducing process of reproducingthe record data recorded in said data area on the basis of the defectmanagement information stored in said memory device.